Kukla's Korner Hockey

Jacques Lemaire. Thanks for nothing.
As in no points and two straight losses for the once mighty Edmonton Oilers, who were on a five-victory roll until coach Lemaire and his inaptly named Wild hit town for two of the dullest hockey games seen in the New NHL this season.
In a year in which goals are way up, comebacks are plentiful, and flow is back in a game that once again sparkles with speed and skill, the Wild are a throwback to the grim, grid-locked, neutral-zone trap-infested past.
This season has, indeed, been a renaissance for the NHL and you hoped the opportunity was there for Lemaire to demonstrate he could apply his genius to offence as well as stifling defence.